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Alyssa Cousineau stars as Reno Sweeney in Mason High School’s production of "Anything Goes." Provided photo

Mason High School Performing Arts will stage “Anything Goes” sets sail this weekend.

The musical, with music and lyrics by Cole Porter, will be staged April 26-29 in Mason High School’s auditorium, 6100 Mason-Montgomery Road.

Here’s a synopsis of the play, as provided by the school:

All aboard for Mason High Schools production of Cole Porter’s musical romp across the Atlantic.  When the S.S. American heads out to sea, etiquette and convention head out the portholes as two unlikely pairs set off on the course to true love. This outrageous cruise features are some of musical theater’s most memorable standards, including “You’re the Top,” “Blow, Gabriel, Blow,” “It’s De-Lovely,” “I Get A Kick Out of You,” and “Anything Goes.”

The cast features more than 50 students, with Alyssa Cousineau as Reno Sweeney, David Baker Gill as Billy Crocker, Ben Tilley as Sir Evelyn Oakleigh, Danielle Tuell as Hope Harcourt, Alex Rebah as Moonface Martin and Leah Hall as Bonnie.

Hannah Greve is stage manager with Kelley Hammeran and Mimi Castanias as assistant directors and Jacob Stites assistant technical director.

Tickets are $10; $8 for students, children and seniors.  Seniors can attend the final dress rehearsal at 7 p.m. Wednesday at no cost.

Purchase tickets at the door or online at www.showtix4u.com.  For more information, go to www.masondrama.com.

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Tags: Tags: alex rebah, alyssa cousineau, anything goes, ben tilley, cole porter, danielle tuell, david baker gill, drama, hannah greve, jacob stites, kelly hammeran, leah hall, mason drama, mason high school, mimi castanias, musical, performing arts, play

The story of orphan Anne Shirley will be told in the musical Anne of Green Gables, presented by Mars Hill Academy. The play opens March 23 for six performances that will be held at Mason Middle School, 6370 Mason-Montgomery Road. Shows are 7 p.m., March 23-24 and 29-30; with 2 p.m. matinees on March 24 and 31. pictured: Cast in Mars Hill Academy's production of Anne of Green Gables are: kneeling, from left: Megan Peterson, Cincinnati, cast as Jane Andrews and Jenna Jacques, of West Chester Township, as Ruby Gillis; top row, from left: Kathleen Brinkerhoff, Mason, playing Mrs. Spencer; Taylor Tinnin, Lebanon, as Diana Barry; Maddie DeBra, Loveland, as Anne Shirley; and Lexi Kilgore, Mason, as Marilla Cuthbert. Provided photo

The story of orphan Anne Shirley will be told in the musical Anne of Green Gables, presented by Mars Hill Academy.

The play opens March 23 for six performances that will be held at Mason Middle School, 6370 Mason-Montgomery Road. Shows are 7 p.m., March 23-24 and 29-30; with 2 p.m. matinees on March 24 and 31.

Students from Mars Hill Academy, a classical Christian school in Mason, have been double cast in the musical created by Cincinnati composers and playwrights Janes Yates Vogt and Mark Friedman, based on Lucy Maude Montgomery’s book.

The play tells the story of talkative Anne – played by Maddi DeBra and Amanda White – who comes to live with unmarried siblings Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert.

Although they had asked for a boy from the orphanage, Anne is allowed to stay with the Cuthbert’s in the farming community. There she and Matthew – a shy man – become friends.

Marilla – an austere woman who tries to subdue Anne’s imagination – has a hidden soft side brought out by her love of Anne.

Lexi Kilgore and Mary Waldy take on the role of Marilla Cuthbert while Wesley Braden and David Peters share the role of Matthew Cuthbert.

Anne’s friend Diana Barry is portrayed by Esther Cunningham and Taylor Tinnin. Anne’s classmate Gilbert Blythe is played by Luke Ahern and Tyler McQuinn while Talia Colvin and Katie Braden share the role of Rachel Lynde, a neighbor.

Other cast members and their roles are: Betsy Thistleton, Mrs. Barry; Kathleen Brinkerhoff, Mrs. Spencer; Leah Smith, Mrs. Blewitt; Brian Hall and Eric Camerer, Mr. Phillips

Taylor Robinette, doctor; Aedan Colvin and Josiah Kenniv, minister; Adam Camerer, station master; Megan ePterson and Faith Liebing, Jane Andrews; Anna Becker, Josie Pye

Jenna Jacques, Ruby Gillis; Anna Jones, Minnie Mae; Joe Thistleton, Moody Spurgeon; Evan Boone, Charlie Sloane; Evan Reese, Tommy Sloan; Nathan Williams, Ned Wright; Yukari Becker and Mariel Teigen, shop girl; and Lauren Williams and Anna Dudley, young Anne Shirley

Members of the adult ensemble are: Julianne Wonser, Jordan Bryant, Michelle Chu, Rebecca Cotterman, Dinda O’Brien, Abby Liebing, Tristan Admiraal, and Alex Johnson.

The student ensemble members are: Gillian Bryant, Grace Hall, Gracie Tamanko, Emma Grubb, Grace Waldy, Lauren Barnett, Claire Smith, Anna Edwards, Salome Palmer, Hudson Kubasek, John Thistleton and Will Braden.

Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at Mars Hill Academy, 4210 Aero Dr., at the door, or online at www.marshill.edu.

Information: 513-770-3223

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Tags: Tags: anne of green gables, christian, david peters, drama, esther cunningham, katie braden, lexi kilgore, lucy maude montgomery, luke ahern, maddi debra, mars hill academy, mary waldy, mason, performance, play, talia colvin, tyler mcquinn, wesley braden

Mason Heights second grader Olivia Curry had some hair-raising fun at the Mad Science exhibit during Math and Science Night last year. Photo provided

Mason Intermediate will hold its annual Math and Science Night from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. this evening.

Last year’s event drew a record number of crowds, with more than 2,400 students in grades 2-5 and their families attending.  Organizers hope for even greater participation this year.

The free event is sponsored by PTO organizations at Mason Heights, Western Row and Mason Intermediate schools.

More than 40 hands-on activities and demonstrations will be offered, including Hover craft rides, liquid nitrogen shows, Mad Science and a Brainetics show. School faculty will perform a Magic of Science finale at 8:10 p.m.

Mason Intermediate is at 6307 Mason-Montgomery Road and can be reached at 513-459-2850.

Posted in: Events, Events, School events, Schools |

Tags: Tags: education, masin intermediate, mason schools, math, math and science night, schools, science, students

Mason High School will hold a College 101 night at 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 9.

Twenty-six presenters and nine counselors will speak on more than a dozen topic sessions, including college visits, financial planning, athletic recruiting and private versus public institutions.

Attendees can choose to attend up to three 45-minute sessions that evening.  A college fair follows at 8:15 p.m. with representatives of local, state and out-of-state colleges on-hand.

Mason High School is at 6100 Mason-Montgomery Road and can be reached at 513-398-5025.

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Tags: Tags: college, college 101, college fair, junior, mason high school, senior, students, university

Western Row Elementary’s PTO will hold its annual Wacky Winter Fun Day fair from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28 at the school.

Now in its eighth year, the fundraising carnival features cake walks, raffles, eclectic games and the chance to drench Western Row principals in the Snowball Burst.  Entertainment will be provided by Miami Elite Cheer, Mason Dance Center, Park Tae Kwon Do and the Comet Skippers.

Tickets are available in advance by contacting Alicia Farbstein at alicia.farbstein@yahoo.com, or at the door. Proceeds benefit students and student programs.  Western Row is at 755 Western Row Road.  For more information, call the school at 513-398-5821.

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Tags: Tags: carnival, fair, fundraiser, pto, students, wacky winter fun day, western row elementary

Mason High School will host a meeting on post-secondary enrollment options at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 29.

Ohio State Department of Education representative Fred Ross will speak to interested parents and students on post-secondary options available in the next school year, followed by a brief question-and-answer session.

Ohio’s post-secondary enrollment options program allows high school students to earn college and/or high school credit through the completion of college courses. The program is open to all Ohio students in the ninth through twelfth grades.

For more information, go to www.edline.net/pages.Mason_High_School/Guidance and click on the State Department of Education tab.

Posted in: Events, Events, School events, Schools |

Tags: Tags: college, fred ross, mason high school, ohio department of education, post secondary enrollment options, pseop, university

Education issues impacting school reform on the national, state and local levels is the topic of a Nov. 9 town meeting featuring United States Secretary of Education Arne Duncan.

The free event runs 6-7 p.m., at Mason Intermediate School’s cafeteria, 6307 S. Mason-Montgomery Road.

Duncan will be joined by Emily Rempke, the Ohio state delegate to Parenting magazine’s Mom Congress. RSVP to edtownhalls@ed.gov.

For more information, call 513-398-0474, ext. 7, or email carsont@mason.k12.oh.us

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The college application process can be a confusing maze for many parents of college-bound high school students.

Mason High School counselors Sally Clark and Phyllis Bell want to help parents make sense of the process with a special program to be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 8.

The program will review important topics such as the college application timeline, use of Naviance (a web-based service for parents and students) in the application process, how to get teacher recommendations, where to find scholarships and organizational tips for a smooth college application season.

The free program will be held in the Small Commons at the Mason High School at 6100 Mason-Montgomery Road.  For more information, call the high school at 513-398-5025.

Posted in: Events, School events, Schools |

Tags: Tags: college, college application, counselors, high school seniors, mason city schools, mason high school, mason ohio, naviance, phyllis bell, sally clark, scholarships, students, university

The Mason City School District Fine Arts Council will hold its Fine Arts Fun Festival from 4:30 – 7:30 p.m. today at Mason High School.

The fundraising event includes on-site vendors selling handcrafted jewelry and artwork, student artwork on display, face painting and food and refreshments.

Proceeds from the event have been used in the past to purchase dance team uniforms, instructional and display boards for visual arts, acoustic shells for band and music software for students.

Admission cost is $2 or purchase tickets covering admission and a pizza dinner for $5. Mason High School is at 6100 Mason-Montgomery Road and can be reached at 513-398-5025.

Posted in: Arts & Entertainment, Events, School events, Schools |

Tags: Tags: events, family, fine arts fun festival, mason fine arts council, mason high school

Mason Intermediate will hold its annual Math and Science Night from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. tonight.

More than 1,200 students in grades second through fifth and their families are expected to attend, said Diane Pfennig,a communications representative for Mason City Schools.

“It’s wildly popular,” said Pfennig. “You just don’t miss it; it’s a great event.”

The free event is sponsored by PTO organizations at Mason Heights, Western Row and Mason Intermediate schools.

More than 40 hands-on activities and demonstrations will be offered, including Hover craft rides, lioquid nitrogen shows, Mad Science and a new Brainetics show. School faculty will also dress in period costume as famous scientists and mathematicians.

Also new this year: Parents will have the chance to test out math and science activities on large touchscreen Smart Boards.

It’s the parent interaction that makes the event so popular, said organizer Gail Headley, who used to teach math at Kennesaw State University in Georgia.

“Kids love doing stuff with mom and dad and parents have fun, too. It’s not their old school math,” said Headley with a laugh.

Posted in: Events, School events, Schools |

Tags: Tags: education, mason heights, mason intermediate, math and science night, students, western row